Every week, a group of friends or a family of four sits down at our table, opens the menu, and quietly wonders how much Persian food to order. Too little and you’re hungry. Too much and you’re taking home three boxes. After years of watching tables work this out, I’ve got a simple plan I share with anyone who asks, and I’d like to share it with you.
The short version: stop thinking in individual plates and start thinking in rounds for the whole table.
Think Shared, Not Individual
Persian food is a family-style cuisine at heart. Platters land in the middle of the table, and everyone reaches in. That’s the whole spirit of the meal. When you order this way, you also get to taste far more of the menu than you would with four separate plates.
Pick Two Different Kabobs
For four people, I’d start with two kinds of grilled meat. Koobideh is the natural first choice. It’s made with ground beef, shaped by hand onto a flat skewer, and it’s the dish most first-timers love. For the second, choose something with a different character, such as a chicken kabob or one of our lamb dishes. If you’re unsure, ask our team what they recommend that day.
Order Rice for the Table
Rice is the base of every Persian meal, so don’t ration it. Kabobs usually come with saffron rice, and a table of four can easily go through it all, especially if you’re passing platters around. If you like the idea of crispy tahdig, ask about it when you order.
Add Something Fresh and Cool
Grilled meat and rice are rich and satisfying, so a fresh side helps balance the table. A simple salad or a cool yogurt-based side gives you a bright, tangy bite between the smoky ones. This is a small step, but it makes the whole spread feel more complete, and it’s very much in the spirit of how Persian food is built.
Plan for Everyone at the Table
If someone in your group doesn’t eat meat, we have vegetarian options, and nobody should feel like an afterthought. If anyone is asking about halal, our koobideh and lamb dishes are halal, and our team is happy to answer questions about any specific dish before you order.
Bigger Than Four?
For larger groups, birthdays, or family gatherings, we have a private dining room, and I always suggest calling ahead so we can plan the table with you. Guests from Adams Hill and Verdugo Viejo book it often for exactly this kind of get-together.
To see the full range of dishes before you decide, browse our Persian food page. For the whole dining experience, including seating and occasions, our Persian restaurant page has the details. And if you’re curious about why sharing is so central to this cuisine, Wikipedia’s article on Iranian cuisine gives some helpful background.
Everything we do starts in Glendale, and you can read more about our home base on our Glendale page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Persian food should I order for four people?
A good starting point is two different kabobs, generous rice for the table, and a fresh side. You can always add a round if you’re still hungry.
Are your dishes halal?
Our koobideh and lamb dishes are halal. Please ask our team if you have a question about a specific dish.
Do you have vegetarian Persian food?
Yes, we have vegetarian options. Ask our team and we’ll point you to the best choices for your group.
Can I reserve the private dining room?
Yes. Call us ahead of time with your group size and date, and we’ll help you plan.
Plan Your Table With Us
Bring your people, bring your appetite, and let us help you build the perfect spread.
Shamshiri Persian Grill Glendale
122 W Stocker St, Glendale, CA 91202
📞 818-246-9541
📍 Get directions on Google Maps
